A Moonlit Night Saga: Episodes 1 - 4
Page 4
“I—I’ll just have a pint of whatever you’ve got on tap,” Emily said. “Thank you.”
“Alright, now that you’re both here we can have a proper goodbye to my best friend, Emily,” said Julia, raising her glass in the air.
“Umm, Jules, they don’t have their drinks yet,” said Tyler, lowering his girlfriend’s glass. “I think someone’s already had a few too many.”
Emily’s friends continued to talk and share stories, but it couldn’t have been any further from her mind. She scanned the sea of people, looking for anyone out of place.
All Emily could find were people just like her, trying to enjoy the warm summer day. They laughed, shared stories with their friends, and tried to live their lives one day at a time.
“Are you even listening to us, Emily?” asked Julia, signaling for another drink. “What’s wrong with you?”
“She’s afraid everyone is out to get her,” Steven explained. “She’s still a little shaken up about the attack.”
“Well can you blame her?” Tyler interjected. “It was a pretty traumatic event—.”
Suddenly, Emily brought her hands to her hand, in visible pain. The throbbing headaches had returned once more.
“Another headache?” asked Steven, touching Emily on the shoulder. “Are you sure it’s not serious?”
Emily’s eyes were beginning to burn now, and soon they were swallowed up by a blinding white light; the same radiant light that had called forth such destructive force no less than a day ago.
At that moment, she had instantly become aware of everyone that had been staring at her. However, it was more than just the two people she had noticed. There must have been a dozen strangers staring at her, for reasons unknown. She could feel their hearts beat, as their eyes fixated on every move she made.
“Steven, we have to get out of here,” said Emily, bringing her hands away from her face as the white light subsided.
“What are you talking about?” Steven asked. “We just got here.”
“We have to get out of here,” restated Emily, grabbing her purse. “We have to leave, right now.”
Chapter Three
A hooded man trotted through the murky forest, his dirty boots splashing in the shallow stream as he ran towards the waterfall. They had been searching all day now, and had finally found what they had been looking for. All he needed was to tell his master.
The man approached the small waterfall, and plowed through the rushing water. He entered a large cavern behind the water, hidden away from the world.
He flipped back his hood, revealing his long brown hair. A good-looking man, he was powerfully built and had the blood red eyes of a ghoul. However, this man was clearly not a junkie like the others.
“Master!” the man shouted to the shadows. “We have found what you required!”
“Tell me what you know, Horace,” said a voice from the shadows.
“We have found the summoner and her friends,” Horace replied. “They have entered the city.”
The voice growled from the darkness, letting his aggravation be well known. It was a weekend, and the downtown city streets would be packed full of people. They could ill afford a bloodbath.
“Under the circumstances, you have done well, Horace,” the voice replied. “I need our men to be ready to move the moment night falls.”
“Yes, master,” said Horace, nodding his head. “May I ask what we are to do about the woman’s friends?”
“I would prefer as little bloodshed as possible,” the voice said. “But if the mission demands it, they are expendable.”
“I understand,” Horace said. “It shall be done.”
Horace turned from the shadow, and began to exit through the waterfall. After a moment, he paused, and turned back around towards the shadows.
“Is there something else?” asked the voice, getting louder.
“What shall be done about the vampire?” Horace asked.
“The vampire shall not be harmed by you,” said the voice emerging from the shadows. “I will kill Simeon, myself.”
Xander’s face began to smolder, as he left the darkness. He stared down the ghoul with his burning retinas, and said, “We have waited far too long for this moment, and she is too important to lose.”
Chapter Four
“Hurry, get her inside!” shouted Julia, as she opened the door to Emily’s home. “Careful.”
Steven and Tyler carried Emily inside, as she was too weak to move herself. She could barely lift her head up, as she was lowered onto the couch.
“What’s wrong with her?” Julia asked. “I’ve never seen her like this before.”
“I agree,” said Steven, shaking his head. “I wonder if she caught something when those men attacked her.”
“Has she been acting weird?” inquired Julia, entering the kitchen.
“Not any more than usual,” Steven grinned. “Although she did say that she saw our mother last night. I just assumed she was dreaming.”
“But you’re parents are dead,” Tyler stated.
“No shit, Tyler,” Julia grinned, reentering the living room with a glass of water. “I think that’s a little obvious.”
Julia put the glass of water on the table beside Emily, and sat down in the chair across from her.
“I bet it’s got something to do with that mysterious guy from last night,” Tyler said.
“I forgot about him,” Julia said. “You know, you’re probably right. Maybe it’s an STD”
“Knock it off, Julia, why would she get involved with a guy like that?” Steven asked, pacing the room. “She picked an awful time to fall for the bad boy.”
Coming to her senses, Emily slowly opened her eyes and said, “You know guys, I’m right here, you can speak directly to me; and I promise that Xander was nothing but a gentleman. He would never harm me…or anyone of you for that matter. I’m sure of it.”
“I hope you’re right, Emily,” said Steven, handing her the glass of water. “Cause if I find out his intentions are less than pure, I’ll kill him myself.”
Meanwhile, in an abandoned refinery at the edge of town, Simeon was gathering his troops for the coming battle. The refinery was run down and destroyed, a perfect place to conceal as small army.
“We are about to make history!” shouted Simeon, raising his fists in anger to the surrounding ghouls.
They were numerous in number, easily a few hundred strong. Like the refinery, they were worn down, battered, and beaten. They had been scouring the city all day, keeping close watch on the summoner.
“The summoner will not escape us,” Simeon said. “Our kind thought that we rid ourselves of them thousands of years ago, but one of them slipped through our grip. That will not happen again. This time, our kind will be victorious!”
The ghouls screeched in approve, raising their hands with Simeon.
Simeon extended his fangs, and with the curl of his lip, he said, “Tonight, we dine on her blood!
Chapter Five
“Are you sure you’re going to be fine?” asked Julia, heading towards the door. “I’m just going to the store; I’ll be back in ten minutes, I promise.”
“I’ll be fine,” said Emily, now sitting up on the couch. “Besides, I’ve got Tyler and Steven here with me.”
Julia nodded, as she headed out of the house. Emily watched from the window, as Julia got into her car, and headed down the long stone driveway.
“Are you feeling any better?” asked Steven, sitting down beside her. “You seem to be doing better.”
“I do feel better,” Emily said. “You’ve all been so good to me—.”
“Hey guys, I’m going to go have a smoke while Julia isn’t here,” said Tyler, motioning to the door. “Don’t tell Jules, okay?”
“You smoke?” Steven asked. “Since when have you smoked?”
“For years now,” said Tyler, with a smile. “And I would like to keep it that way, so please don’t tell Julia.”
“Fin
e,” said Steven, as Tyler exited the house. “I guess that just leaves us.”
“It’s been awhile since the two of us have spent time together, hasn’t it?” Emily asked. “Other than the last couple days, we haven’t had much time for one another.”
“I guess you’re right,” Steven replied. “I never thought about it, but we have drifted apart over the years. I’d like that to change.”
“So would I,” said Emily, looking up at her brother. “You’ve been so good to me. I want you to know how much I appreciate having you in my life.”
“You always were the brains of our operation,” Steven grinned, giving his little sister a hug. “Even when we were kids, I know you were going to be the one taking care of me someday. Consider this a down payment.”
“Everyone always asks me why I never left this town,” Steven continued. “The truth is that I don’t think I’d ever make it outside this town. Not you, you’re a survivor. You’re going to leave for Charleston, and make something of yourself. I’ve never been so proud of my little sister.”
Emily was starting to tear up. Steven never was one for emotional speeches, so the few times he did, Emily knew it would be a special moment.
She wiped the tears from her eyes, and looking up at her brother, she said, “You’ve been a pretty great older brother yourself—.”
“Guys, you have to get out here…now!” interrupted Tyler, swinging the door wide open.
The door smashed against the wall, sending both Steven and Emily to their feet as they rushed out the front door.
“Oh my…god,” said Steven, at a loss of words. He couldn’t believe his eyes, and failed to find anything suitable to say. “…Fuck me.”
At the edge of the property, hundreds of sickly men and women circled the area. Even under the night sky, Emily could see their bright red eyes, staring the three of them down. Like rabid wolves, they hunted their prey.
Tyler looked back at the two of them, and said, “Does anyone want to tell me what the hell we are looking at?”
Chapter Six
“You might want to come out of the house now!” roared Simeon, as the ghouls surrounded the house.
Remembering her mistake the last time she met Simeon, Emily ordered the group back into the house.
“They’ve cut the phone lines,” said Steven, attempting to dial the phone. “I don’t understand. Who are these people?”
“They are the men that attacked me,” said Emily, emotionless and in shock. “They’ve come to finish what they’ve started—.”
“I swear to everything that is good and holy,” Simeon shouted from outside. “I will burn this house to the ground if you will not come outside!”
“What the hell did you see, Emily?” Tyler asked, slamming his fist down on the kitchen counter. “Damn it, Emily; Jules is still out there somewhere!”
“This isn’t her fault, Tyler!” said Steven, rising in defense of his sister. “She never asked for any of this!”
“You can’t possibly still be ignoring me?” asked Simeon, getting louder. “I didn’t want to have to do this!”
The three of them waited for any signs of attack, unsure if surrender was even an option.
The doorbell rang, sending shivers down their spines. Simeon was at the door.
“I think you should come out,” said Simeon, as he rang the doorbell again. “Julia thinks you should come out, too.”
Emily and Steven looked at one another in shock, but Tyler was already out of his chair and rushing to the door.
“No!” Emily screamed. “Tyler, please don’t go!”
It was too late, as Tyler had opened the door. He stared down the large vampire, afraid to move any further.
Simeon had a hand firmly around the throat of Julia. Leering at Emily, he said, “If you had of come outside when I had asked, this would not be happening to your friend!”
Simeon bared his fangs, and sunk his teeth deep into the neck of Julia. She screamed up in pain as the blood poured down her neck.
Withering in agony, Emily could only stand by, as she watched her friend collapse to the ground.
“You animal!” screamed Tyler, as she charged Simeon. “I’ll kill you—!”
“Please come back, Tyler!” Emily screamed.
Tyler couldn’t hear Emily’s pleas for him to stop. All he could think about was the woman he loved, being attacked in front of him. He leaped at Simeon, hoping to throw him to the ground.
“Not today,” said Simeon, lifting his head from Julia’s neck and catching Tyler with his free hand.
Tyler looked on in shock, as Simeon hurtled him back into the house. He smashed against a table, dropping to the floor.
Tyler lay conscious on the floor, while Simeon finished his meal.
Simeon raised his head, and withdrew his fangs. Licking the blood off his lips, he looked back at Emily, as said, “Refuse me again…and I will burn this house to the ground.”
Chapter Seven
Emily and Steven stood out on the porch, brother and sister against an army.
The ghouls howled in the night, as they stared intently at their prey. They had waited a lifetime for this moment, and wished to savor every moment.
“What do you want from me?” asked Emily, clenching her fists. “What did I ever do to you?”
The ghouls cackled in unison, and the ground beneath them trembled from their ferocity.
“My dear, I see that Xander told you nothing,” smirked Simeon, slowly walking up the steps of the porch. “I can’t say that I blame him.”
“You called me a summoner, before,” Emily said. “What were you talking about?”
“That is a very long story,” said Simeon, now feet away from Emily. “In short…your race was once considered gods among men. You walked the world, sharing your powers with the people of the land, and they worshipped you for it.”
Steven tried to stand in between the two, but a touch on the shoulder from Emily brought him back. They looked at each other, their somber expressions saying more than words ever could.
“They were gods that give back to their worshippers; could there be anything more preposterous?” Simeon asked. “That simply would not work for us, so we replaced you as the true gods!”
Emily listened, in horror, as Simeon recounted the details on how the vampires systematically destroyed every summoner in existence, except Emily.
“You monster!” screamed Emily, desperately trying to call forth the energy from a few nights ago. “Did you kill my mother, too?”
“Why don’t you ask your boyfriend, Xander?” Simeon inquired. “After all, he was there.”
“Lies!” Emily yelled. “You only deal in deceit and lies; my mother was right about you!”
“What a good lesson to learn,” Simeon grinned. “Too bad it will be your last—.”
“Attack!” yelled a voice from the trees. “Kill them all!”
Dozens of men emerged from the trees, rapidly advancing on the small junkie army. They were skillful, and well trained, as the cut down the addicts with ease.
Emily and Steven watched on in amazement, as the battle raged less than twenty feet away. It was dark out, but the red eyes of both parties could be seen a mile away, like hundreds of firefly’s dancing in the night sky.
“Emily, get back!” shouted Steven, as a ghoul jumped up to the porch, and charged them.
Steven pushed Emily aside, and took the brunt force of the attack. The ghoul threw him to the ground, clawing at him from above.
“Steven!” screamed Emily, as she tried to pull the ghoul off. “Get off him, you vile monster—!”
“Watch out, Emily!” bellowed Tyler, running out of the house brandishing a pitching wedge. “Take this, you monster!”
Tyler struck the ghoul in the back, and when it didn’t back off, he struck again.
The ghoul cried in anguish, as he crumbled to the floor. Coughing up blood, it looked up towards his master, who wasn’t moving to save him.
The ghoul wailed in pain as it rolled off the deck onto the battlefield. By now, their numbers had dropped drastically, as the small group of well-trained opponents sliced through them quickly and efficiently.
Simeon smiled, as the carnage ensued all around the simple cottage home. He should have been furious, but the thought of this insurrection coming so close to victory amused him. After all, he thought, they were only junkies and newly-trained ghouls.
He raised his fist towards the three of them, ready to make his strike. He stared Emily down, and said, “I’ve been thinking about this moment for a very long time—.”
“I warned you, I would be back,” said Xander, grabbing Simeon’s arm. “Tonight, my maker, this ends!”
Simeon winched in pain as Xander’s gloves torn into his flesh. He tried to force him off, but the silver-lined gloves drastically lowered his strength.
“I will have your head for this!” screamed Simeon, gathering enough strength to send Xander back a few feet. “You and everyone you’ve ever cared about will burn!”
“Get back in the house!” growled Xander, as Emily ushered her friends back into the house. “This is between Simeon and me. We must do this alone.”
“I have prepared for this moment for a long time,” said Xander, clenching his fists. “I may not be as powerful as you, but I am a hell of a lot smarter.”
“Prepare all you want,” Simeon snarled. “I’m going to rip off your arms and beat you with those damned gloves!”
Chapter Eight
Simeon charged forward, without concern for his own wellbeing. The silver burned through his skin as he manhandled Xander to the floor. His fury shook the very floor beneath them as they battled on the porch.
“You knew that I wouldn’t let this insurrection go unpunished!” shouted Simeon as he thrashed at the kneeling Xander. “After I kill you, the rest of your clan will suffer, as traitors to our kind! I can assure you…the Council of Elders will have them endure decades of torture, until they finally die…alone and afraid.”